King’s Lynn Scotty’s Little Soldiers May Marathon fundraiser Jack Rigby aims for £10,000 target on tenth anniversary of dad Lee Rigby’s death

A youngster is aiming to raise thousands of pounds for a Lynn charity that supports bereaved military children.

Jack Rigby, 12, will be taking part in Scotty’s Little Soldiers’ May Marathon by walking a mile a day in memory of his dad.

Lee Rigby, a Royal Fusilier, was murdered on the way to his barracks in Woolwich on May 22, 2013 and his son is honouring him on the 10th anniversary of his death.

Jack was two years old at the time. He joined the charity in 2013 and has been supported by them ever since. Jack has set himself a target to raise £10,000 for Scotty’s by completing 26.2 miles during this month.

Jack said: “I want to raise £1,000 for every year my dad has been gone and would absolutely love to raise £10,000 for the 10-year anniversary.

“Scotty’s has done so much for me and just having their support and knowing other people are going through the same kind of stuff makes a big difference.”

Jack, who lives in Halifax with his mum Rebecca, is taking on the challenge to raise money for bereaved British Forces children just like him.

The charity was founded by Lynn widow Nikki Scott, whose husband Corporal Lee Scott was killed in Afghanistan during active service.

Jack said: “I feel proud doing the May Marathon in honour of my dad.

“It also helps distract me from everything. Going on a long walk is a nice break and reminds me it’s not all bad.”

Mum Rebecca, 40, said: “With it coming up to the anniversary, Jack wanted to do something positive in memory of his dad.

"Jack wants to show how, even though he’s grown up without Lee, he’s not forgotten his dad and he will always be part of his life.

“People sometimes think that because Jack was only two when his dad was killed it doesn’t affect him very much, but that’s not how it works.

“Just because Jack was young, it doesn’t mean he’s forgotten Lee. I’m so proud of Jack in everything that he does, and I think that Lee would be as well.”

Jack said: “£10,000 would really help Scotty’s to continue to help me and hundreds of other children just like me.”

Rebecca said: “He didn’t even think he’d make £250, but when the number kept rising and people he didn’t know kept sponsoring him, he started to think about going for even more.”

Every day after school, Jack and Rebecca walk more than a mile around a park near their home with their two dogs, one of which is a black cockapoo called Scotty after the charity.

The charity has provided them with respite breaks and the chance to take part in remembrance services and Christmas parties and Jack has even met Royals.

Jack said: “I’ll always remember when we went to Buckingham Palace and I met Prince Harry.”

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